6 Tips to Avoid (and Cure) Razor Burn

There are tons of products that claim to banish razor burn and ingrown hairs. But if you've ever used them, you know they rarely work. "Sometimes, the issue is just the issue," says John Allan, founder of an eponymous grooming line and men's clubs. "Certain skin types are just prone to irritation."

Unfortunately, he's right. The sensitive types among us will probably always have a few issues with their daily shave. But that doesn't mean you have to dread the razor every morning, just that you have to take some extra steps to make sure ensure a clean, healthy shave. We consulted the pros for their best tips on a burn-free shave, plus some (relatively) quick fis in case of an utter emergency.

In shaving guides, you rarely see any information about a man's normal skin routine. Therein lies the problem. "You need to stay away from anything with alcohol," says Diana Schmidtke, celebrity groomer for Clooney, Robert Pattinson, Liam Hemsworth, and more. "And be careful which toner you choose."

Miles Elliot, master barber at F.S.C. Barber, also stresses the importance of skincare. "Moisturizing frequently will reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs," he says. Only moisturize in the morning, if at all? Do it day and night.

Astringent cleansing products or chemical eoliants can aggravate the skin, causing it to be red or dry before you shave. Plus, a lot of drugstore products contain drying preservatives. Upgrade to the Aesop Parsley Seed line ($35-$65) for daily gentle treatment and protection.

2. Downgrade Your Blades

"For razor burn-prone skin, the triple and quadruple blades are just too strong. You'd have better luck with a single or double blade," says Schmidtke.

Elliot explains, "You want to use a sharp, quality razor that shaves using the fewest strokes possible. Going over your face too much with a dull razor or cheap brand will cause the burn." On his more sensitive clients, Elliot uses the Edwin Jagger Barley Double Edge Safety Razor ($50). "It's very mild, and great for guys with ingrown hair issues."

3. One and Done

"Don't do a second pass if your skin can't handle it," Elliot insists. Especially if your skin is already irritated, you'll only aggravate the issue. Wait until your face is back in shape before trying for a closer shave, but when you do, don't go against the grain.

"Go cross-grain on the second pass if your skin can handle it," he said. (With most hair growth patterns, this means shaving in the direction from ear-to-nose.) This way, you'll get a closer shave without the major irritation.

"Also, don't press too hard with the razor. That gathers the skin. This can happen on the neck especially." For an easy glide, the half-foam/half-creamnature of Givenchy's Pro Energizing Shave Cream ($23) is ideal.

4. Lather Up Right

Allan stresses the basics: "Most guys apply their pre-shave and shave, then go immediately for the second pass. Why don't they re-lather? Before your second shave, lather again. That will help with irritation." His shaving cream ($17) has Willow Bark to prevent redness and calm the skin.

Elliot recommends Musgo's Real Pre-Shave Oil ($32) and Baxter's After Shave Balm ($18) specifically for sensitive skin types. But Schmidtke cautions that being generous with the product might also be a problem. "It could be that you're clogging your razor with too much shaving cream. Take short, overlapping strokes andrinse the blade each time."

5. Start Hot, End Cold

"Use lots of hot water during your shave, and shave immediately after a hot shower in a humid room. Shaving too dry will cause burn," says Elliot. (Lots of guys prefer investing in a no-fog mirror for the shower. You can take this one ($20) in your gym bag or on business trips for a closer shave.)

"If razor burn keeps happening, you may want to add a hot towel application before your shave," Schmidtke says. Immediately after your shave, close the pores and seal the follicle with a cold towel, then quickly apply your moisturizer.

6. Soothe the Burn

"Razor burn is very common with my celebrity clients... They might be on a movie or they might have shaved too quickly," Schmidtke says. Still, they need to be on the red carpet looking dapper as ever. She's learned a couple of tricks along the way:

"I use the Art of Shaving Night Cream ($40) to soothe the skin and calm it down. For ingrown and razor burn, you can crush up a Bayer Aspirin and make a little paste by adding a few drops of water. The salicylic acid will help calm the burn. Use it as a little mask on the irritation." Also try applying ice cubes to the area in thirty-second, intervals until you see the redness start to go down.

There are tons of products that claim to banish razor burn and ingrown hairs. But if you've ever used them, you know they rarely work. "Sometimes, the issue is just the issue," says John Allan, founder of an eponymous grooming line and men's clubs. "Certain skin types are just prone to irritation."

Unfortunately, he's right. The sensitive types among us will probably always have a few issues with their daily shave. But that doesn't mean you have to dread the razor every morning, just that you have to take some extra steps to make sure ensure a clean, healthy shave. We consulted the pros for their best tips on a burn-free shave, plus some (relatively) quick fis in case of an utter emergency.

In shaving guides, you rarely see any information about a man's normal skin routine. Therein lies the problem. "You need to stay away from anything with alcohol," says Diana Schmidtke, celebrity groomer for Clooney, Robert Pattinson, Liam Hemsworth, and more. "And be careful which toner you choose."

Miles Elliot, master barber at F.S.C. Barber, also stresses the importance of skincare. "Moisturizing frequently will reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs," he says. Only moisturize in the morning, if at all? Do it day and night.

Astringent cleansing products or chemical eoliants can aggravate the skin, causing it to be red or dry before you shave. Plus, a lot of drugstore products contain drying preservatives. Upgrade to the Aesop Parsley Seed line ($35-$65) for daily gentle treatment and protection.